10 Oct 2019 First Team Match Reports

Dogged Rams application rewarded with another clean sheet.

Gosport Borough 0 Beaconsfield Town 0

Rams Man of the Match - Jordan Ajanlekoko

Beaconsfield followed up their home goal-less draw with Merthyr Town with a second clean sheet in a week. This time at Privett Park, home of big spending Gosport Borough, who from their programme obviously felt their recent good form would continue if they applied themselves to the job,

comfortable that they had the squad and resources to account for Beaconsfield on Tuesday night at home.The Rams had other ideas and continued with their recent approach. Begin by being very difficult to beat and build from their.

Reverting to a back four with Jordan Ajanlekoko stepping into the centre of midfield to partner Ade Shokunbi in the engine room with youngster Kane Guy-Seifert deputising for the absent Louis Stead and James McCluskey supporting on the flanks The Rams presented a compact, disciplined and effective unit with Brendan Matthew and Tyrell Mitford keeping the home defence busy.

The Rams made a confident start. The home team, though dominating possession, took 16 minutes to mount any real threat and were already showing signs of frustration which would characterise their evening. Their best player in the first half, left back Rory Williams, swung in a dangerous cross but Matthew Patterson could not apply a goal bound touch and the chance went begging. Shortly after Williams ballooned a promising chance high and wide from the angle of the penalty area when well placed. By the time Gosport managed a serious shot on target The Rams could have been ahead. Jordan Ajanlekoko drove into midfield and released Brendan Matthew who played in Tyrell Mitford with time and space on the left edge of the area. He shaped to place a shot into the opposite corner but could not keep his effort on target.

At the other end Myles Bowman and the low-level lighting almost presented the home side with the lead they felt they deserved, parrying a straightforward effort straight to Patterson before spreading himself to deflect the strikers effort on to the post and away to safety.

By and large they home side huffed and puffed and shouted at the referee but lacked the composure necessary to turn their possession into an advantage against an obdurate Beaconsfield team who produced a disciplined defensive performance whilst still carving out a very presentable chance to nick a lead.

Half Time 0-0

The second half began with the home side on the offensive.

There was a greater urgency about their efforts moving the ball more quickly. They immediately looked more threatening, without actually being much more threatening.

The Beaconsfield back line held firm, won their headers and keeper Myles Bowman swept up confidently behind them.

As the half wore on the young keeper demonstrated his increasing confidence claiming crosses to relieve pressure and managing good distance on his punches under pressure.

On the only occasion he was beaten in the second half Luke Neville was on hand to make a clearing header in the shadow of the goal.

As the half wore on the home sides frustration grew, along with the abuse aimed at referee. The visitors were working hard and an excitable home crowd were urging them on but their frustration leaked into their play which grew more desperate as the half wore on.

The introduction of Marley Ridge increased the threat and the quality of the home sides efforts but without carving out any clear chances. Dangerous crosses aplenty were cleared or drifted away without a finishing touch. Like the first half it was Beaconsfield who carved out a chance and almost pinched the points when Ade Shokunbi’s 20 yard effort produced the save of the evening from Patrick O’Flaherty in the home goal. At the other end Patterson headed wide when well placed and crosses continued to rain in without ever really threatening Bowman or the defence who in the end coped more comfortably here than against Merthyr who provided a much sterner test.